“Although the last six months have been the most testing that any family should have to go through, we are still grateful and proud of his character, determination and attitude from sustaining the initial injuries through attempted recovery periods until his passing.”

His son added: “My dad has been taken from us in a horrible manner but he was injured doing something he loved.

“This is the only comfort I can take from the situation, along with knowing he is no longer in pain and suffering but at peace with other lost family members.”